Review- The Look of Love by Bella Andre

Summary-

Chloe Peterson is having a bad night. A really bad night. The large bruise on her cheek can attest to that. And when her car skids off the side of a wet country road straight into a ditch, she's convinced even the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of the rain storm must be too good to be true. Or is he?

As a successful photographer who frequently travels around the world, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women, and whenever he's home in San Francisco, one of his seven siblings is usually up for causing a little fun trouble. Chase thinks his life is great just as it is--until the night he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. Not only has he never met anyone so lovely, both inside and out, but he quickly realizes she has much bigger problems than her damaged car. Soon, he is willing to move mountains to love--and protect--her, but will she let him?

Chloe vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase gives her--and every sinfully sweet caress--as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can't help but wonder if she's met the only exception. And although Chase didn't realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn't the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he's gearing up for a different fight altogether...for Chloe's heart. 

Release date: June 13th 2011

Published by: Bella Andre

Page numbers: 384

Review-

I wanted to read the Sullivan s by Bella Andre since a long time. When I finally had nothing else to read and was in the mood to read some plain old contemporary romance, I got to The Look of Love. While I can't say it was amazing, because frankly, it wasn't even close to it but it was okay and I have hopes for the remaining books in the series.

Chloe is having a bad night. He car ends up in a ditch and she is standing in pouring rain with a bruised cheek. But then Chase Sullivan shows up and things start looking up. I found Chloe to be okay. Yes, she had a horrible past with her ex and her insecurities kept showing up. But listening to her go on and on about never trusting a man again got a bit boring.

Chase Sullivan is a photographer. He has his pick of the most beautiful women in the world but when he sees Chloe at the side of the road he instinctively wants her. I liked Chase. He wanted to help and protect Chloe. He was a patient man and the love he shared for the remaining Sullivan clan was obvious.

I am not a big fan of insta love and that is exactly what we get to see in The Look of Love. It was more like insta lust but love came very soon too. Chloe and Chase red great chemistry. Bella Andre knows how to write steamy scenes which just the right amount of banter and intimacy and it was great to see Chloe and Chase together.

I am also really intrigued by the oldest Sullivan brother Marcus. I will be getting right to his book next. But in general all the six brothers and the twin girls sound wonderful. I can't wait to read all their stories. I ended up liking The Look of Love.

(Late!) Book Blitz- Skerryvore by Lee Williams

Skerryvore
by Lee Williams
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: September 2nd 2018

Summary:

Teenage twins Rose and Daniel aren’t allowed phones, computers, even a TV, thanks to their conspiracy-obsessed father. But when the people he always thought were after him actually turn up, the twins realise their dad wasn’t as paranoid as they’d always thought.
With their father missing and their house burned to the ground, Rose and Daniel find themselves at the centre of a worldwide conspiracy that stretches back through the ages, involving some of the most powerful and mysterious organisations on the planet.
Why them? Why their dad? The answers to these questions and other darker mysteries lie on a remote Scottish island, beyond the doors of an ancient house called Skerryvore.
These mysteries link the twins to a Dark Age king and queen, to a secret society that stands behind the City of London, and an energy source that links some of the world’s most ancient sites into a network that has the power – literally – to change the world.

Skerryvore is the first book in the Dark Net series 

Now Available: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Advance Praise:

Lee Williams has created an amazing adventure in this wonderfully written YA fantasy epic, Skerryvore. Exciting and well done with plenty of twists and turns to capture and hold the reader's interest - I know it did mine! Perfectly paced and full of brilliant characters, the fast-paced action spirals you forward to an exciting climax that pulls almost all the mysterious clues together, leaving you satisfied yet still anxious for the follow-up novel. Lee Williams mixes history, science fiction and everyday social issues along with mythical characters and legends to make Skerryvore the ideal story to keep you reading and wanting to read even more. - Readers Favorites 

Excerpt: 

Daniel took a deep breath. It must be right. This must be the last piece in Mr Picketty’s jigsaw that led to the secret of Skerryvore – a sword in a stone. He couldn’t just be imagining this.   

He had to have faith.   

Daniel closed his eyes and went through the technique Mr Humblestone had taught them for being in the present. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Empty your mind of thoughts. Listen to the sounds around you. What can you hear? He could hear the sound of waves and gunfire echoing around the metallic roof of the chamber. What can you feel? The cold sea air against his face, the hard ground against the soles of his feet, the movement of his ribcage up and down and the beating of his heart inside it. What can you smell? The smell of the sea, the metal and oil of machinery. Now open your eyes. What can you see? He opened his eyes. He could see a sword standing in a stone with no thoughts attached to it, no hopes or fears.   

Just a sword in a stone.  

He reached out and wrapped his fingers around the cool leather of the hilt. He closed his eyes and pulled.   

With a scraping of metal on stone the sword came free in his hand, so easily in fact that he stumbled backwards and fell to the floor dropping it with a harsh clattering noise that echoed around the chamber.   

Then, slowly, another sound began to rise and overtake the first. It was a sound that came from all around, like some huge and rusty gate that hadn't been oiled in centuries. Looking up, Daniel saw that the roof of the observatory was moving, but not in the usual way. This time it was moving outwards and away from the building, like giant hands were peeling it back. The noise roared to a deafening crescendo and Daniel watched in horror as the two sides of the roof leant outwards, balanced precariously for what felt like an eternity, then toppled and fell to the rocks below like two giant petals dropping from a flower.   

He was suddenly alone on a windy platform, above the sea, under the night sky.   

And behind him something else was moving. 

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Blog Tour- Wolf of the Tesseract by Christopher D. Schmitz

Wolf of the Tesseract (Wolves of the Tesseract #1)

Release Date: July 2016

Black Rose Writing

Summary:

In a world underneath our own reality, magic & science are two sides of the same coin. After merging with her copy from an alternate reality, college student Claire Jones is thrust into a setting beyond imagine and must fight alongside Zabe, an inter-dimensional guardian. Together they must stop an evil warlock from shattering the laws of existence who, above all else, seeks Claire's blood as the key to controlling the all-powerful Tesseract.

As they flee his wrath, Claire must decide what her romantic feelings for her protector mean... apocalypse-bringing sorcerers aside, Claire's mission is to rescue the woman Zabe loves... even if Claire has likewise fallen for the selfless soldier.

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Christopher D. Schmitz is the traditionally published and self-published author of both fiction and nonfiction. When he is not writing or working with teenagers he might be found at comic conventions as a panelist or guest. He has been featured on cable access television broadcasts, metro area podcasts, and runs a blog for indie authors.

Always interested in stories, media such as comic books, movies, 80s cartoons, and books called to him at a young age—especially sci-fi and fantasy. He lives in rural Minnesota with his family where he drinks unsafe amounts of coffee. The caffeine shakes keeps the cold from killing them. His entire family is musically gifted, although he is, sadly, their only bagpiper.

Education: Schmitz also holds a Master’s Degree in Religion and freelances for local newspapers. He is available for speaking engagements, interviews, etc. via the contact form and links on his website or via social media.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Blog Tour Organized by:

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Waiting on Wednesday #241

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spines, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. 

Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: September 18th, 2018

Summary-

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Hard Play series with a sweet, sexy romance featuring big, fat, OTT weddings, a meddling grandma, and a too-serious hero who needs to be unbuttoned…

Nayna Sharma agreed to an arranged marriage in the hope it would heal the fractures in her beloved family… only to realize too late that a traditional marriage is her personal nightmare. Panicked, she throws caution to the winds, puts on the tiniest dress she can find, and ends up in the arms of a tall, rough-edged hunk of a man who has abs of steel—and who she manages to mortally insult between one kiss and the next.

Abandoned as a child, then adopted into a loving family, Raj Sen believes in tradition, in continuity. Some might call him stiff and old-fashioned, but he knows what he wants—and it’s a life defined by rules… yet he can’t stop thinking about the infuriating and sexy woman who kissed him in the moonlight then disappeared. When his parents spring an introduction on him, the last woman he expects is her. Beautiful. Maddening. A rulebreaker in the making.

He’s all wrong for her. She’s all wrong for him. And love is about to make rebels of them both.

I have been looking forward to Nayna and Raj's story since the last book.

What are you waiting on? :)

Book Blitz- Don't Blame Me by Kay Blake

Don't Blame Me

by Kay Blake

Genre: NA/Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: August 10th 2018

Summary:

Sometimes love’s a drug. The rush can be so addicting. All that matters is the high. Not the consequences. Not the damage left in its wake.

Adrian Robinson was a college football star, with his future all mapped out. He didn’t expect to fall for feisty Leah Hunter.  Nor did he expect the destruction left in its wake when it all came to an end.

Now, Adrian’s a hotel magnate and one of the most eligible bachelors in the world.

He has it all, except the one woman he has kept in his heart for years. And he’s willing to do anything to get her back.

Leah hasn’t seen Adrian since the day she was forced to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.

When Leah is assigned to write a piece on him for her magazine, remnants of their torrid romance still burn like yesterday.

Will the high be worth it this time? Or is it destined to crash and burn?

Add to Goodreads / Amazon Link

Excerpt:

Adrian laughed sitting up. “Well, maybe it’s weird that you haven’t let it go yet, but I have to admit I do admire that kind of dedication.”

I smiled and got off of his arm to playfully push him.

“Here you go teasing me again,” I said sticking out my tongue in a mock manner.

“No teasing. Just stating what I noticed. That is it. I promise. I don’t want a repeat of earlier.”

My stomach at that moment dropped and all the fluttering started again. It was as if there was a family of butterflies were fluttering around in my stomach and I was helpless to stop them. I didn’t know why, but I did like Adrian more that I had cared to admit. It was why he got under my skin so much because even though he was the kind of guy I would normally stay away from.

I played with my fingers trying to think of a good excuse to have him leave. I need him to get out of my space so I could think clearly again. Him and I wouldn’t work. I knew that. I knew that better than he probably did. We were too different from each other and had different goals. It was all I needed to know and for that reason, we wouldn’t work out. I needed him to get out of my personal space, and I could go back to keeping my distance. That was the only way I would be able to do that. If he stayed away I could keep all these confusing feelings at bay.

“Leah?” Adrian said softly interrupting my thoughts and I turned towards him.

“Yes?”

“You are probably the most beautiful girl on this campus. No, you are the most beautiful girl on this campus and you don’t even know it,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re just you. I like you. The real you underneath that mask you wear.”

And with that his fingers lightly touched my face to tilt it towards his. I could feel my heart thumping hard again against my chest and all of a sudden I felt lightheaded. He was making me feel crazy, but in a good way. He leaned towards me as my heart raced, and his cologne invaded my nostrils. Leaning in his lips lightly touched mine. Almost grazed them, and I sighed. He took that as a go head, and his kiss hardened as he pried my mouth open with his tongue. I felt myself tremble as he pulled me into his arms, and my head started to spin. This wasn’t supposed to feel this way. I was sure of that. I wasn’t supposed to feel dizzy, almost drunk, but at the same time it felt so good. It felt right.

Author Bio:

Kay is an award winning author who writes sassy, sexy and sweet contemporary and interracial romance. She is from arguably the greatest city in the world. (New York). She is a sarcastic sweetheart who prefers snuggling at home with a good book. Kay is a mom of 3 cubs and a wife. Kay indulges in strawberry cheesecake, horror movies, Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, wrestling and of course a happily ever after. She is also the creator of Bookish Brown Girls, a platform dedicated to promoting books written by women of color.  

Author Links:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Amazon / Goodreads / Newsletter Signup

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Review- Valentine by Samantha Young

Summary-

A special novella with six extremely sexy short stories from the On Dublin Street series so far. It’s Valentine’s Day and Joss & Braden, Ellie & Adam, Jo & Cam, Olivia & Nate, Hannah & Marco and Shannon & Cole are hotting up the streets of Edinburgh once more…

VALENTINE: An On Dublin Street Novella is a special gift to fans of the series in thanks for supporting HERO, her first standalone contemporary romance. 

(Free on Amazon, Smashwords)

Release date: February 12th 2015

Page numbers: 87

Review-

I have read and enjoyed every single book from Samantha Young's On Dublin Street series so obviously I HAD to read this novella. Firstly, its free and secondly I was extremely curious to see what all my favorite couples were up to in the present doing on Valentine's Day. Valentine was a good read.

We have extremely short stories going from each couple's pov in the order in which the On Dublin Street series goes including Ellie and Adam's novella. So the first one was of Joss and Braden and undoubtedly it was one of my top favorites. Seeing Joss and Braden so well adjusted with kids and one more on the way was a pleasure to read. They are still just as hot as they were in their book.

Then was Adam and Ellie's short story which was cute. Ellie was still the romantic and Adam the cynic but they love each other dearly. Cam and Jo's story was interesting. We get to see how the both of them are coping with the changes in their life. I LOVED Nate and Liv's story. They made a fun couple who still had fantastic conversations with each other.

Though Hannah and Marco's book was probably my least liked book in the series, I liked their story. They are one of the younger couples, still going strong. Cole and Shannon's story was probably the sweetest one and I loved getting updates on how things were going for them. All in all this was a pretty sexy novella and should be read if you're a fan of this series.

Review- Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren

Summary-

Back when not being able to stand each other also meant not being able to keep their hands off each other in Beautiful Bastard, neither Bennett nor Chloe could have seen this day coming.

An exasperated bride who just wants to elope. A determined groom whose only focus is getting to the wedding night. And—of course—a whole lot of name calling.

Release date: November 19th, 2013

Published by: Pocket Star

Page numbers: 208

Review-

Beautiful Beginning is a long novella and book #3.5 in the Beautiful Bastard series by Christina Lauren. This novella takes us back to the first couple in the series, Chloe and Bennett and what they are up to. Chloe and Bennett are getting married and as it is always with them, there are a lot of unexpected things happening with their crazy family and friends.

Bennett has decided not to sleep with Chloe until after the wedding. Of course, Chloe has to go against anything and everything Bennett says so she decides to seduce him. This paired with crazy family and friends and even crazier situations is what makes up for Beautiful Beginning.

I really liked seeing Bennett and Chloe again. Though they are not my favourite couple from the series, I did like seeing how they were doing. They have come a long way and it was great to see them almost read each other's mind. They were deliriously happy in love but still had tension filled arguments. Classic Chloe-Bennett.

I also loved seeing Max and Will and Bennett prank on each other. These guys are hilarious but at the end of the day they stand by each other. With an expected and unexpected news thrown in, Beautiful Beginning made for a really good read. If you have been following this series like me, this novella should not be missed.